Establishing an honor society (i.e., Heritage Society) for planned gift donors is the foundation of many planned giving programs.  This society recognizes those who have remembered the organization in their will or through some other planned gift.  It serves three important purposes:

1. Provides a focal point for marketing planned gifts. Marketing is centered on attracting new heritage society members.
2. Helps build a relationship with planned gift donors. Membership strengthens their commitment to your organization. This relationship and commitment is critical to retain planned gifts that remain revocable by donors until death,i.e.,bequests. 
3. Offers a natural, low-key way to solicit a planned gift. You simply ask prospects if they are familiar with the society, explain it, and inquire if they would like to join. 

Consider the following for your society:

•     The society should be kept simple.  It is an “honorary” society with no regular meetings.
•     Set a yearly goal for membership as part of your development plan.
•     Consider having an “associate level” of membership for those who “intend” to make a planned gift to your organization.  This allows an immediate action step and commitment for the donor.  Upon completion of the planned gift, full membership is awarded.
•     Have a brochure with a reply device announcing the society and inviting membership.
•     Hold an annual luncheon or dinner each year to recognize members and deliver an “insiders” report on the status of your non-profit. 
•     Regularly publish members’ names in your newsletter (with their permission).
•     Recognize membership with a framed certificate or other remembrance. Hand-delivery of this keepsake provides a wonderful opportunity to meet the donor and begin a more personal relationship.  It also puts family members on notice of the donor’s plans for your organization.

Most successful planned gift programs have a Heritage Society.  If you do not have one, begin one now.  If you have one, make sure it is active and growing.  It is well worth the effort.  Remember, planned gifts are often large, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.   Don’t ignore this part of your development program.

We have cost effective programs to help you realize major planned gifts.  For more information call (816-756-1090) or e-mail us at info@morancompany.com.

The Moran Company Our Services Include:

A partial list of organizations that have benefited from our services include:

Academie Lafayette Charter School
American Lung Association
American Red Cross
American Royal
Amethyst Place
Arts Council of Metropolitan K.C.
Armour Home
Avila University
Barstow School
Cancer Action, Inc.
Catholic Charities
Center for Management Assistance
Child Abuse Prevention Association
Children’s Mercy Hospital
The Children’s Place
City Vision Ministries
Colorado Boys Ranch Foundation
Community Foundation of Central GA
Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Community Foundation of South Wood, WI
Community Resource Network
Cornerstones of Care
Council on Philanthropy
Crittenton
DeLaSalle Education Center
Dreams Work, Inc.
Foundation on Aging
Foxwood Springs Living Center
Friends of the Zoo
Greater KC Community Foundation
Greater Memphis Community Foundation
Greater Salina Community Foundation
Harvesters
Hays Medical Center Foundation
Health Resource Partners
Healthykansascity.com
Heart of America Family Services
Heartland Presbyterian Center
Hispanic Development Fund
Holy Cross Family Ministries, Inc.
Immacolata Manor
Jackson County Historical Society
Junior Achievement
Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City Film Commission
Kansas City Hospice
Kansas City Public Library
Kansas City Public Television
Kansas City Symphony
La Crosse Wisconsin Comm. Foundation
Liberty Hospital Foundation
Local Investment Commission (LINC)
Marillac
Mattie Rhodes Counseling Center
Medical College of Virginia Foundation
Metro Growth Fund of Greater KC
Mid-Amer. Coalition on Health Care
Midwest Bioethics
National Kidney Foundation
Oshkosh Wisconsin Community Foundation
Ozanam Home for Boys
Park University
Partnership for Children
Racine Wisconsin Community Foundation
Resource Development Institute
Rockhurst University
Saint Luke’s Hospital Foundation
SAVE, Inc.
Shawnee Mission Medical Cntr. Foundation
Spofford Home

About The Moran Company
Founded by Bill Moran, The Moran Company works with nonprofits that want to reach more donors and generate more dollars. To learn more about our fundraising training, consulting, or executive search services, please contact us (816) 756-1090 or info@morancompany.com.

© The Moran Company, 2007.  All rights reserved. You may reprint this article for FREE provided you include the above paragraph. No changes without our permission, please.